The month of March, called “Blue March”, is the month dedicated to the prevention and screening of colorectal cancer. In Europe, this type of cancer is diagnosed in approximately 341,400 people per year and this figure continues to increase. In Luxembourg, this cancer represents the second leading cause of cancer death, but if detected early, it can be cured in 9 cases out of 10. Screening therefore plays an essential role.
Objective: Increase the participation rate in the organized colorectal cancer screening program to better fight once morest this disease
In Luxembourg, there has been an organized screening program for colorectal cancer for two years called “PDOCCR” and managed by the Center for the Coordination of Cancer Screening Programs of the Department of Health.
Two years following the implementation of this screening program, approximately 150,000 invitations have been sent. Participation in organized screening is still too low (currently around 33% of tests are carried out following an invitation) although it has been constantly increasing since the launch of the programme. The screening test remains essential to fight once morest this disease. Indeed, colorectal cancer is a common cancer that develops slowly, often without pain or digestive signs, and from lesions called polyps that can bleed into the intestine. Bleeding from a polyp or cancer is not visible to the naked eye, hence the importance of the test.
How does the screening program work?
People aged 55 to 74, resident in Luxembourg and affiliated to the National Health Fund (CNS), receive an invitation to take part in this screening program every two years. It should be noted that non-residents of Luxembourg, located in the same age group and affiliated to the National Health Fund can also participate in this program, by contacting the Coordination Center to receive an invitation.
This screening consists of a test for blood (invisible to the naked eye) in the stool. This test is easy to use and can be done at home. People who have received an invitation must order a sampling kit from an approved laboratory to carry out this test, which is then sent back to the laboratory for analysis. The result of their screening test is sent to them directly by the laboratory.
In the event of a positive result, the persons concerned are invited to contact their doctor in order to discuss the relevance of a diagnostic colonoscopy. The list of centers and doctors approved by the Health Department for performing colonoscopies under the PDOCCR can be found on the website sante.lu/cancercolorectal. However, it is also possible to carry out the procedure with any specialist in gastroenterology.
The communication actions planned by the Ministry of Health on the occasion of the month of “Blue March”
On the occasion of Blue March, a communication campaign is organized by the Ministry of Health to encourage the people concerned to take part in the organized screening program. Posters will be displayed in pharmacies and doctors’ surgeries to raise awareness on this subject; on the social networks of the Ministry of Health will be relayed an explanatory video on the symptoms that can occur when you have colorectal cancer. A Facebook Live is also planned on this theme for March 15, 2023 at 5 p.m. with Milene Silveira, manager of cancer screening programs at the Department of Health, and Dr Elisabeth Letellier of the University of Luxembourg, in order to inform and answer questions from the public live. Finally, an online conference (Lunchtalk) specifically intended for doctors will be organized to discuss with them and to help them raise awareness among their patients regarding the prevention and screening of this cancer.
More information can be found at sante.lu/cancercolorectal
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Finally, it is important to know and recognize the symptoms associated with colon cancer:
- Blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum.
- A change in bowel habits, for example if the person starts having regular diarrhea or constipation.
- A change in the shape of your stool. Especially if they become thin, pencil-like or ribbon-like.
- A feeling of inability to have a bowel movement, or if the person wants to go but there is no need.
- Persistent pain in the abdomen or lower back, or when going to the toilet.
- Outside of the toilet, symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, weakness, or unintentional weight loss can also be a sign that the colon is not working as it should.
However, it should not be forgotten that not everyone with colorectal cancer necessarily has symptoms, hence the importance of regular screening.
Communicated by the Ministry of Health
